Smarter Oral Care

Vitamins and minerals play an important role in our growth and development. If any of the vitamins are deficient, we may develop a deficiency disease which might cause permanent harm to our bodies. Besides providing essential nutrients to maintain healthy cells in our bodies, vitamins may also be used to prevent or, to some extent, reverse the damages cause by gingivitis.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the term used for the inflammation of gum tissues, a non-destructive from of periodontal disease. It is perhaps the most common human disease as chronic gingivitis can be seen in most of the population in the world, and is among the easiest to treat and control. In absence of treatment, gingivitis may progress to the destructive form of periodontal disease, periodontitis.

Causes of gingivitis

Plaque-induced gingivitis is the more common form of the disease and it mostly begins as an inflammation caused by an accumulation of bacterial plaque adhering to teeth, to tartar (calculus) and to fixed and removable fillings or prostheses. Dental plaque is mostly retained in the mouth due to:

Is gingivitis curable?

It is important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of gingivitis for with good oral hygiene practices, a plaque-induced gingivitis of bacterial origin can be cured with gum tissues returning to normal. However, it is usually not possible for the affected tissues to return to normal in periodontitis. Therefore immediate treatment should be given as soon as the gingivitis symptoms and signs are detected to arrest and control the progression of the disease.

How to treat gingivitis?

The best method to treat gingivitis is to physically remove dental plaque so proper oral hygiene regimen is important to clear bacterial plaque adhering to teeth, to tartar (calculus) and to fixed and removable fillings or prostheses. However there are certain areas that are hard to reach with normal toothbrushing, for example deep gum pockets or behind the most posterior molars, and require professional scaling or removal of dental plaque by your dentist.

Mechanical removal of dental plaque and good oral hygiene would be sufficient to cure gingivitis but depending in the severity of the disease; your dentist may prescribe you chlorhexidine mouthwash or in extreme cases, undergo surgery to correct the damages done by the disease.

Which vitamins and minerals are essential for curing gingivitis and reversing its damage?

It is well understood that a healthy and balanced diet can help prevent many diseases. An inadequate diet may be responsible for unhealthy, inflamed gums. Gum diseases can be prevented or reversed with the help of certain vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin A – help in maintenance of healthy mucous membrane and maintain salivary flow in the mouth.